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Zhu Danxi stated: For dry sores, fire should be reduced; for damp sores, dampness should be drained. Reducing fire requires only mild agents, such as Jingjie (Schizonepetae Herba), Shengma (Cimicifugae Rhizoma), Gegen (Puerariae Lobatae Radix), and Lianqiao (Forsythiae Fructus). Draining dampness refers to dampness in the muscle and skin layer, which is suitable for treatment with wind-dispelling herbs such as Fangfeng (Saposhnikoviae Radix) and Baizhi (Angelicae Dahuricae Radix). At the initial stage of smallpox, spontaneous sweating is not a hindrance, as it arises from the steaming of damp-heat.

Things that are moist are nourishing, while those that are dry become withered. The distinction between "Rong" (Nourishment) and "Ku" (Withering) is governed by blood sufficiency. Therefore, blood serves to circulate Yin and Yang, moisten the skin and hair, and flow through the joints. If sores are originally sparse, blood does not need to be abundant to be sufficient; if sores are originally dense, it is crucial that blood is in excess. If blood is in excess, meridians flow smoothly, permeating the muscles and skin, reaching the hair follicles, irrigating and moisturizing, promoting growth and luster, resulting naturally in bright coloration and vibrant sore bases. Conversely, if blood is insufficient, meridians become obstructed, sore pockets are empty, appearing black and dry without brightness, withered without luster, and the skin becomes wrinkled, peeling, and cracked. The Classic states: "All cases of astringency, withering, drying, stiffness, and peeling belong to Dryness." It also states: "Excess of Dryness leads to dryness." This occurs because the patient's blood is chronically deficient, compounded by toxic fire scorching, which induces the transformation of Metal-Dryness, exhausting essence and blood, thus presenting this syndrome. The method should involve invigorating blood and nourishing fluids, dissipating heat and detoxifying, clearing the Lung and moistening dryness, so that dryness can be reversed. Observing the nourishment or withering of sores reveals the principle of nourishing blood. If dampness is excessive, and sores are originally oozing, breaking upon contact, and rotting with difficulty in healing, this indicates extreme Fire combined with Water transformation; strong Spleen Qi leads to survival, while weak Spleen Qi leads to death.

Diseases have a Biao (Branch/Symptom) and Ben (Root/Etiology), and treatments have a sequence. Some treat the Branch, some treat the Root, some treat the Branch first then the Root, some treat the Root first then the Branch, and some treat both simultaneously. One must judge based on urgency and cannot play the zither with fixed bridges (i.e., act rigidly). Regarding smallpox manifestations: from the perspective of the human body, Qi and Blood are the Root, and sores/rashes are the Branch; from the perspective of the sores themselves, the sores are the Root, and other accompanying symptoms are the Branch. For example, dense smallpox lesions constitute a Branch disease; one must observe whether Qi is uneven and Blood is unbalanced, regulating Qi and invigorating Blood while simultaneously detoxifying—this is treating both Root and Branch. If sores have erupted but Qi is deficient, tonify Qi; if Blood is deficient, tonify Blood—this is treating the Root when the condition is slow/mild. If Qi and Blood are sufficient but sores remain obstructed, use solely formulas for supporting interior Qi and detoxifying—this is treating the Branch when the condition is urgent/severe. If the smallpox progression is too severe with swollen and painful throat, treat the throat primarily—this is treating the Branch urgently. If the smallpox progression is too severe with persistent diarrhea, treat the diarrhea primarily—this is treating the Branch urgently. If diarrhea persists for a long time, gradually forming a deteriorated syndrome, rescue the Interior and release the Exterior simultaneously—this is also treating both Root and Branch. Rescue the Interior first, then attack the Exterior—this is treating the Branch first and the Root later. Constipation of both large and small bowels, accompanied by restlessness and wheezing, requires urgent purgation—this is treating the Branch urgently. If smallpox progression is too severe with persistent irritability and thirst, prioritize detoxification while addressing thirst—this is treating the Root first and the Branch later. Expanding upon these principles exhaustively ensures orderly treatment.